This article explores the ideological divide in dog training, contrasting traditional compliance-based methods with the emerging partnership-based approach. Inspired by Maya Badham’s “Planets” concept, it delves into the philosophical underpinnings, challenges of transitioning mindsets, and broader societal influences shaping dog training practices. Ultimately, it emphasizes the transformative power of empathy and respect in building a deep human-dog connection.
Author Archives: Elina Halonen
How reactivity levels and activity levels interact in dog temperament
The article by Martha Hoffman delves into the categorization of dogs based on their temperaments, discussing traits such as reactivity and activity. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these traits when thinking about a dog’s behavior and potential issues that may arise from specific combinations of traits.
On leash laws and the hidden costs of restricting dog movement
Recent changes in leash laws in Spain, reflecting similar policies in countries like Finland and the United States, sparked some thoughts about dog welfare. While these laws aim to maintain public safety and order, they inadvertently impact a crucial aspect of canine well-being – the need for dogs to move freely. Dogs are built toContinueContinue reading “On leash laws and the hidden costs of restricting dog movement”
Conditioning core muscles with long grass searches
Dogs can improve fitness and muscle development by searching for objects in long grass. This activity engages different muscle groups, promotes brain and nose engagement, and fosters persistence. It is particularly beneficial for young dogs to develop core strength and prevent potential injuries. Early exposure to this activity can lead to well-developed dogs. [Source: dogs4motion.com]
The evil ball thrower
The use of ball throwers for dogs is controversial, as repetitive throwing can cause harm. Despite this, they can be beneficial for certain activities on walks, providing mental and physical exercise. Throwers allow for longer throws and unpredictable trajectories, engaging the dog’s senses and reducing the risk of injury. Consider their constructive potential.
Time with dogs is relative
The author reflects on the different experiences of raising dogs at various stages of their lives. They express the privilege of witnessing their pets’ journey and the bittersweet nature of their short lifespan, emphasizing the deep bond formed in the time shared together. This introspective piece highlights the unique connections formed through different stages of companionship.
Teaching a puppy to walk in a retractable leash
I’ve seen probably hundreds of claims about how flexi leashes “make your dog pull”. Unfortunately, universal statements without caveats are easily falsifiable… you only need one black swan to prove not all swans are white, so I wanted to show that a retractable lead does not automatically make or teach a dog to pull andContinueContinue reading “Teaching a puppy to walk in a retractable leash”
Enrichment tip & on the benefits of sniffing for puppies
As I was cutting up the stinky dry tripe, I thought… jeez, the things I do for my dogs. In a “wow, I’m a crazy dog lady” kind of way, because if I tried to explain this to anyone normal, I’d definitely sound bonkers. Then I thought… why not make a video about it, becauseContinueContinue reading “Enrichment tip & on the benefits of sniffing for puppies”
The anatomy of a breed standard
The key reason why breed standards matter even when you are focused on the potential performance of a dog is that not all dogs are physically suited to the activities we want to do with them. I’ve previously written about why structure matters even for working spaniels – it’s not just about performance, unless youContinueContinue reading “The anatomy of a breed standard”
Sniffing for treats as a tool
Searching for treats on cue is a very useful behaviour for a dog to learn – it’s an example of a cusp behaviour, which means it broadens the dog’s behavioural repertoire and opens up the possibility for learning other behaviours. This is why I was doing it with Grace’s puppies from an early age soContinueContinue reading “Sniffing for treats as a tool”
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